How to Play MOV Files on Windows 10 (5 Easy Methods)

Jane Zhou updated on Apr 25, 2024 to Screen Recording Utility

How to play MOV files on Windows 10? If you have trouble in opening MOV files on Windows, you will get help on this guide. Here, we will show you some Windows 10 MOV player software, and walk you through the steps to open MOV files on Windows effortlessly.

MOV is a popular video format for sharing videos and movies on the internet. It was created by Apple, and it's used as the default video format for Mac and iOS devices, so you can easily view MOV videos on Apple devices. However, it seems to be a challenge when it comes to opening MOV files on Windows 10, as the MOV format is not compatible with the Windows system.

So, if you want to play MOV files on Windows 10 successfully, you might need to use some best MOV players for Windows 10. And that's what we are going to talk about in the following. Just continue reading to find out the easiest way to play MOV files on Windows.

Methods Effectiveness Difficulty
EaseUS RecExperts High - Play various video formats, including MOV; advanced options for playing Super easy
Photos Medium - Lag during playing sometimes. Easy
Windows Media Player Low - Only Version 12 and later can play MOV. Easy
VLC Media Player High - Play MOV files with hotkeys. Easy
QuickTime Player Medium - Limited performance on Windows computer. Medium

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How to Play MOV Movies on Windows 10[Hot]

The easiest way to open .mov files on Windows 10 is to use a professional video player, and EaseUS RecExperts is such a program. 

This tool supports a wide range of media formats, like MOV, MP4, WMV, and more, aiming to help you open video and audio files hassle-free. Aside from that, it lets you adjust the playback speed from 0.5X to 2X according to your needs! You can even manage your media files with one simple click, if needed. To improve your viewing experience, just download the tool now.

Here's how to open a .mov file on your Windows 10 computer:

Step 1. Launch EaseUS RecExperts, and click "Recordings" on the lower left to open the media player.

Step 2. Click "Import" on the bottom right to load your media files. It allows you to import multiple files or a folder.

Step 3. Then, you can enjoy your audio or video file with different playback speeds, from 0.5X to 2.0X.

Is it easy to open and play the MOV files with this software on your Windows PC? Don't hesitate to get it!

Play MOV Files on Windows 10 using Photos

If you use Windows 10 or later versions, you can play the .mov file without downloading or installing any third-party software. All you need is an inbuilt program called Microsoft Photos.

This freeware lets you open your MOV files with simple clicks. Also, you can use it to open MP4, AVI, or other videos on your Windows PC. Apart from being a MOV player for Windows 10, this software empowers you to do more with your videos and photos, including editing, comparing, creating albums, and making movies of your special memories.

If you don't need advanced media playing functions or you need to view the MOV file urgently, you can try this inbuilt media player. No downloading and installation is needed, which can save a lot of time for you.

Well, now let's return to the steps to play MOV files on Windows using Photos:

Step 1. Find the MOV video on your Windows PC, then right-click on it.

Step 2. Click "Open with" > "Photos". Once done, your MOV files will open via Photos.

Play MOV on Windows 10 with Windows Media Player

In addition to Microsoft Photos, another inbuilt media player can help you play MOV files on your Windows 10 PC. And that's Windows Media Player.

It is a video and audio player developed by Microsoft, making it easy to play media files on Windows PC. So, of course, you can use it to play .mov videos on Windows. Moreover, it also includes the ability to rip music from compact discs, and burn recordable discs in Audio CD format.

However, to play MOV files successfully via Windows Media Player, you should check the version. It must be 12 or more to open the MOV movies. If the Windows Media Player on your Windows 10 PC doesn't fit, upgrade it first.

Step 1. Search "Windows Media Player" on your computer, then open it.

Step 2. Click "Help" on the top toolbar, and select the "About Windows Media Player" option to check the version. (If it is below 12, you can move to the next solution)

Step 3. Next, go to folders to find the MOV video that you want to play, then right-click on it. And choose "Open with" > "Windows Media Player" to open the MOV video.

Play .mov File on Windows using VLC Media Player

If you are looking for an open source MOV player on Windows 10, just take a look at VLC Media Player. It is a completely free and open source media file player, and can open almost all common video and audio files, like MP3, MP4, MV, AVI, WAV, etc. So, it is just a piece of cake to play MOV videos. What's more, you can convert media file formats, and record screen with VLC.

VLC is popular in the media file playing field. The smooth playing performance and various playing features are the reasons behind it. Try this tool if you are new to finding a proper tool.

Here's how to play .mov files on Windows 10 using VLC Media Player:

Step 1. Download and launch VLC Media Player on your Windows PC.

 Step 2. Click Media > Open File... to import your target MOV file on your PC.

Or, you can directly find the MOV video, right-click, and choose "Open with VLC Media Player", once the freeware is installed.

Open MOV Files on Windows with QuickTime Player

The last method to play MOV files on Windows is to use QuickTime Player. It is a default media player on Macs, and helps open various video and audio files. Luckily, it is now available for Windows users, which means you can use QuickTime to play MOV files on Windows 10.

However, as QuickTime Player was not designed for a Windows computer in the first place, its performance on your Windows 10 computer is probably not that satisfying. You can have a try before making it your default media player on your Windows PC.

Step 1. Go to the official Apple support website to download it, and then install QuickTime player on your Windows PC.

Step 2. Open QuickTime Player for Windows, then click "File" to select the MOV files.

Note: Apple no longer supports QuickTime Player for Windows, so this player will not receive updates. If you download it, you will get the older version.

Final Words

How to play MOV files on Windows 10? This post provides 4 Windows 10 MOV players to help you choose from. If you prefer the default programs, you can opt for Microsoft Photos or Windows Media Player. If you want to use open-source software, then VLC Media Player is your choice.

Suppose you want a video player with some recording feature; you cannot miss EaseUS RecExperts! Whatever you choose, we hope you can get a satisfactory solution from this guide.

How to Play MOV Files on Windows 10 FAQs

1. Can you play MOV files on Windows Media Player?

Yes, you can play MOV files on Windows Media Player. But keep in mind that it only works when the version of Windows Media Player is 12 or higher.

2. What program plays MOV files on Windows?

Actually, there are lots of MOV players for Windows that will play MOV files, including but not limited to:

  • QuickTime Player
  • Windows Photos
  • Windows Media Player
  • VLC Media Player
  • ...

3. Can Windows play MOV?

In fact, Windows does not support MOV format. But if you use some professional MOV players like Windows Photos, QuickTime, and VLC, you can easily play MOV files on Windows PC.